Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames Strike a Deal For Dion Phaneuf

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

TSN is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames have consummated a trade that would see Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom, and Keith Aulie heading to the Leafs in return for Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Ian White, and Jamal Mayers.

In another report from TSN, it appears as if Leafs' general manager Brian Burke is working on an offer that would see Anaheim Ducks goaltender J.S. Giguere and a high draft pick (either a first or a second) headed to Toronto.

Giguere would have to waive his no-trade clause, but, by all accounts, this trade could very well get a green light as early as today.

Yesterday, news broke out of Anaheim that the Ducks had signed goaltender Jonas Hiller to a four year extension worth $18 million. Hiller’s contract extension led many NHL insiders to speculate that Giguere’s days were now numbered.

Any deal involving Giguere—who would come with a $7 million contract/$6 million cap hit in 2010-11, is expected to see Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake headed to Anaheim. Blake's contract in 2010-11 carries a $3 million cap hit, while Toskala is a UFA.

The news of Phaneuf landing in Toronto and the possibility of the Leafs landing Giguere has got fans of the Blue and White talking and, from my seat, it’s all good news.

In an article I wrote just yesterday (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/336015-free-agent-shopping-will-not-be-easy-for-leafs-brian-burke) I suggested that if Burke was to go out and try to rebuild his club via free agency that the pickings would be slim.

With that in mind, it was suggested that, in order for Burke to make a significant change to his teams long-term fortune that he would have to seek a number of trading partners and develop players from within. It appears as if step one is in the works, with more to come.

Phaneuf had fallen out of favor in Calgary and, with the Flames struggling mightily to score goals, the additions of Stajan, Hagman, and White seem to suit the Flames needs.

Through 55 games with the Flames this season, Phaneuf registered ten goals (Tied for third amungst NHL defensemen), adding 12 assists, for 22 points. Offensively, Phaneuf is having an off-year, but his hard-hitting style is still very much intact, as are his tenacity and high compete level.

Thought to be a shoe-in for Team Canada’s Olympic squad, Phaneuf was snubbed by Steve Yzerman and Company. Many in NHL circles felt Phaneuf’s exclusion would serve as a wake-up call for Phaneuf, but the Flames obviously didn’t think Dion could turn things around and, as such, dealt him to the Leafs.

Stajan and Mayers (who recently asked out of Toronto) were both slated to be free agents at the end of this season and, by all accounts, were not going to be part of Burke’s long term plans.

Stajan, a reliable two-way centre, is arguably the best player heading to Calgary. His ability to play both the power play and penalty kill makes him a valuable addition.

Through 55 games Stajan posted 16 goals (seven of which came on the power play) and 41 points.

Mayers, a gritty checker, will add a little muscle to the Flames lineup and should fulfill a fighter’s role in Calgary.

Acquired via free agency in 2008-09, Hagman has been a solid, if not underrated player for the Leafs. Signed at $3 million per through 2011-12, Hagman is an affordable offensive option for the Flames, a player who, through 55 games with the Leafs, has posted 20 goals and 33 points.

White, another undervalued player, had established himself as a legitimate top four defenseman with the Leafs this season. He can play the power play and is more than capable of making a great first pass, something that should serve him well in the offensively minded Western Conference.

Through 56 games with the Leafs White had amassed nine goals and 26 points, to go along with 39 penalty minutes.

Sjostrom, a former first round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes (11th overall) has never met expectations. That said, he is not a "throw in" for this deal as he is a good skater and a tough opponent on the penalty kill—an area the Leafs need help in.

Through 46 games Sjostrom has just one goal and six points. He scored a career high ten goals in 2007-08 as a member of the Coyotes. Sjostrom has one year left on his contract at $750,000, becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2011-12.

Aulie, a 6’5, 208 pound, hard hitting defenseman, was a fourth round pick (116th overall) of the Flames in 2007. He plays a simple, physical game and is regarded as a mid-level prospect.

Currently playing in the AHL with the Abbotsford Heat, Aulie has two goals and four assists in 43 games.

Hopefully the Flames additons can turn things around, likewise for the Leafs newest acquisitions. Both teams have struggled all year to find any consistency. For the Flames that has meant the inability to put the puck in the net, something Hagman, White, and Stajan have demonstrated to be able to do.

The Leafs have struggled to keep the puck out of their own net all season long. The additions of Phaneuf and Giguere (soon) should help to take care of that and right the sinking ship that is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I am sure there will be more to come….

Until next time,

Peace!